NDA draws Lalu Yadav's ire after corruption-accused Mewalal's appointment in Bihar cabinet

After appointment of corruption-accused JDU leader, Mewalal Choudhary, as Education Minister in Bihar, Nitish Kumar and BJP has suffered a major attack from RJD. Mewalal Choudhary was booked in 2017 under IPC sections 409, 420, 467, 468, 471 and 120B, for alleged discrepancies in appointment of 167 assistant-cum-junior scientists at Bihar Agriculture University at Sabaur in Bhagalpur. Choudhary served as vice-chancellor of university between 2010 and 2015. 

RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav has said that BJP that was running its campaign on fight against corruption has w appointed a tainted leader as ir minister. Comparing Nitish and his son Tejashwi, former CM of Bihar who is currently jailed in Fodder scam cases, said that Nitish Kumar has shown his priority by appointing Mewqalal as his minister, while Tejashwi would have begun work of providing 10 lakh jobs to people of Bihar. 

While Choudhary has dismissed allegations against him, Tarapur MLA has declared same in his election affidavit. 

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Earlier, Tejashwi Yadav also accused Bihar Chief Minister Nitish of compromising in his choice of Cabinet Ministers for sake of power. He alleged that newly appointed state Education Minister Mewalal Choudhary was embroiled in several corruption cases.  This assumes significance as Kumar had cited corruption charges against Tejashwi Yadav as reason for snapping ties with RJD. In backdrop of  Muslim candidate of ruling alliance getting elected to Legislative Assembly, RJD leader pointed out that mirity communities had representation in state Cabinet. RJD leader claimed that state-backed criminals have a free run in new NDA regime.

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Nitish Kumar's Cabinet

Apart from Nitish Kumar who was sworn in as Chief Minister of Bihar for 7th time, 14 or Ministers were administered oath of office and secrecy on Monday. This includes 4-time BJP MLAs Tarkishore Prasad and Renu Devi who shall serve as Deputy Chief Ministers of state. While Kumar has retained Home department, Prasad has been assigned  portfolios such as Finance, Commercial Taxes, IT, Disaster Manment and Urban Development. On or hand, Renu Devi will handle Panchayati Raj, Backward and Extremely Backward Class Welfare and Industry departments.

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Mirity Affairs portfolio has been assigned to Bihar JD(U) president Ashok Choudhary. Amid COVID-19 crisis, BJP MLC Mangal Pandey has been retained as Health Minister. Meanwhile, HAM(S)'s Santosh Kumar Suman will function as Minister for Mir Irrigation and Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe Welfare and VIP chief Mukesh Sahani shall be in-charge of Animal Husbandry and Fisheries portfolios. 

READ |Tejash wi Yadav Criticises Choice Of Cabinet Ministers In Bihar, Takes Jibe At Nitish Kumar